What Happened
Authorities and organizers in Panama’s historic Casco Antiguo are preparing for the Semana Santa Internacional, a week of religious processions and cultural events that is expected to attract more than 300,000 national and international visitors. Organizers say the influx will test transport and security logistics while delivering a significant economic boost to local businesses.
Organization and scale
Roberto Rollón, from the Casco Antiguo Semana Santa organizing committee, said roughly 5,000 active participants are involved in this year’s program. The celebration began as a modest event about 10 years ago and has grown into one of Panama’s principal religious observances.
The program includes eight processions and 13 andas (platforms) staged by a principal cofradía and seven brotherhoods. Volunteers are expected to surpass 5,000 people working on tasks such as preparing about 5,000 vestments used in the processions. Organizers will distribute between 10,000 and 11,000 bottles of water along procession routes, with volunteers responsible for delivery and collection.
Processions and new additions
The program highlights include the extensive Viernes de Dolores procession on 27 March at 7:00 p.m., involving more than 1,800 participants and over 300 women accompanying the Virgen de los Dolores. Other events span from Domingo de Ramos to Domingo de Resurrección and include the traditional Burrita procession for children, the Cristo de la Buena Muerte, the Cristo Pobre, the recorrido of the seven churches, and the solemn outings of Jesús Nazareno and the Cristo Yacente.
This year two new andas debut: one dedicated to the crucified Christ (to be carried on Viernes de Dolores) with 94 costaleros, and another representing the Última Cena, to be carried by 140 people and to start from inside the cathedral basilica.
Mobility and security
Organizers said MiBus will run a special service from the 5 de Mayo station to the Casco Antiguo, and visitors can also walk from the station to the heritage area. Eleven nearby parking facilities will be available, including Casco Parking on Avenida B, the Teatro Nacional lots and spaces at Parque V Centenario and Plaza Herrera. Rollón urged attendees to arrive early and use nearby parking.
Security will be led by the Servicio de Protección Institucional (SPI) with support from the Policía Nacional, Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (Senafront) and Migración. Luis Felipe Icaza, acting minister of Public Security, said the deployment is expected to be similar to last year, when about 400 units were mobilized.
Economic and cultural impact
Gloria De León of the Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá said the event has become a marketable tourism product that blends faith, history and culture. Hotel occupancy during the period typically exceeds 90%, matching 2025 figures. Based on a conservative $20 per person per day spending estimate, the tourism generated in the Casco Antiguo is calculated to have an economic impact in excess of $6 million. The minister of Culture emphasized that Semana Santa remains a central expression of Panama’s identity and faith, projecting the country as a reference for religious tourism.